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Many times we receive customer requests asking what is the major benefit when building with ICF, and what is the cost advantage?
When do I need a super structure and how is the price in comparison to conventional building methods?
What are the major benefits of ICF structures?
Of course the main purpose to use an ICF system is the fact that you have the insulation installed in a single step when erecting the walls. The insulation (form) is on the outside and inside of the wall. The second issue is the concrete inside the form, solid and can be reinforced with steel for extra strength.
By comparing it with a conventional concrete block construction and adding insulation panels to the block wall, this structure would be already more expensive. Additionally a concrete block consists mainly out of air and very little concrete, so the strength is more than 10 times less than a solid concrete core in the ICF form.
The statical strength of a structure is calculated on the concrete used, the mixture and the reinforcement with steel, regardless what kind of structure. A pored form system is a far better solution, because the inside core is solid and can be reinforced vertically and horizontally.
Another major benefit is that the concrete core is completely covered on both sides with non-rotting styropor or neopor. No external weather or climatic influences can ever get in contact with the concrete core and remember the concrete is the static, stability, the main structural element . The most common problem in conventional structures (concrete block) is the influence of weather and climatic changes, like heat, cold, humidity etc. Those influences weaken the consistency of the concrete and after a while cracks, leaks and other rotting sings will appear. We can see it virtually everywhere in "naked" block structures.
Building a structure with ICF, a structure which doesn't rot is like an investment in the future and an immediate increase in value.
Tests on the oldest ICF structure (41 years old) show there is no sign of rotting - the concrete core condition was like new! The test was simulated for 100 years with the same result. That's a benefit virtually invaluable.
When is a super structure needed?
A super structure may be required in areas with extreme weather conditions, like coast lines, hurricane zones, tsunami zones or as protection like a sea wall. The more cost in a super structure is just the added volume in concrete and steel. We can extend any wall form up to 26 cm (app. 10 inches) pure concrete cell plus insulation. The over all width of that wall (exterior) will be at least 14.5 inches. Invisible columns can be integrated in this kind of wall.
Another major benefits over all other ICF systems available today is the patented Floor/Ceiling system we use.
What means floor/ceiling system?
The floor/ceiling system consists of insulating panels, concrete, steel beams and additional horizontal steel bars and serves as ceiling and floor for the second story or in single story structures as flat roof. This roof is completely insulated with a concrete layer on top.
No ICF wall system makes any sense in terms of insulation when the ceiling is just drywall and eventually a layer of fiber wool insulation. In a climate with high humidity the fiber wool gets wet in a short time and the insulating value goes against zero. Only styrofoam panels could solve this problem. Styrofoam is not sucking humidity or water.
The Isorast floor ceiling system is a fully insulated, non rotting solution. It closes the entire structure, and the top concrete layer is floating into exterior and interior wall - connecting the entire structure like one piece. This way we eliminate all the trouble with heat and leaking roofs - forever!
This system was developed and tested over five years and holds 5 international patens on its own.
Labour cost:
In many failed projects the cost for labour and trouble was underestimated. Very simple to explain: A crew of 10 people (even cheap labour) working for 6 weeks cost much more than a four man crew (highly paid) working for 5 days.
This is another major benefit when working with ICF. The procedure is clear, the erection of the structure is light and easy (like building LEGO house), potential problems are eliminated from the beginning. Result: Saving money and headaches. The project gets finished in time.
Especially in commercial projects (hotels, resorts) time is a critical issue and can become the most deadliest enemy. Lenders, Investors don't wanna wait, interests needs to be paid and the project never comes to an end.. The major unknown cost factor is in the structure itself, not in cosmetic issues like what kind of tile or marble, counters or paint etc. Is the structure not right, nothing will ever be right.
With an Isorast ICF structure we know all those components and costs before we even start the first dig in the ground. The structural cost will not increase, labour cost will not increase, problem areas are virtually completely eliminated and the project will be finished in time - much shorter than any other conventional construction.
Optimization:
Working on budget can be accomplished by optimizing the project design. In this example you see a 1.000 sft home which would cost about $ 85,000.- Two of those would be 2.000 sft / cost $ 170,000.-
Optimized in material and size - I integrated a self bearing roof construction to use it as living space. This doubles the size to (2.000 sft) - useable 1.800+ sft. and the cost is just $ 139,000 instead of $ 170,000 - A nice $ 31,000 saving through optimization.
I want to start my new project now
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